Abstract: A bone assessment apparatus for diagnosing bone by transmitting and receiving measuring waves (in particular ultrasonic waves) is provided. A body part (e.g. a foot) is gripped by a pair of transducer assemblies, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received in this state. Each transducer assembly comprises an ultrasonic transducer and a coupler. The transverse cross-sectional area of the ultrasonic wave beam is adjusted by adjusting the contact area of the coupler on the body part, by changing the vibrating area of the ultrasonic transducer, or by fitting an attachment which narrows the ultrasonic wave beam to the transducer assembly. The transverse cross-sectional area of the ultrasonic wave beam may be changed depending on the size of the body part to be measured.

Abstract: A bone assessment apparatus for diagnosing bone by transmitting and receiving measuring waves (in particular ultrasonic waves) is provided. A body part (e.g. a foot) is gripped by a pair of transducer assemblies, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received in this state. Each transducer assembly comprises an ultrasonic transducer and a coupler. The transverse cross-sectional area of the ultrasonic wave beam is adjusted by adjusting the contact area of the coupler on the body part, by changing the vibrating area of the ultrasonic transducer, or by fitting an attachment which narrows the ultrasonic wave beam to the transducer assembly. The transverse cross-sectional area of the ultrasonic wave beam may be changed depending on the size of the body part to be measured.

Abstract: A bone assessment apparatus for diagnosing bone by transmitting and receiving measuring waves (in particular ultrasonic waves) is provided. A body part (e.g. a foot) is gripped by a pair of transducer assemblies, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received in this state. Each transducer assembly comprises an ultrasonic transducer and a coupler. The transverse cross-sectional area of the ultrasonic wave beam is adjusted by adjusting the contact area of the coupler on the body part, by changing the vibrating area of the ultrasonic transducer, or by fitting an attachment which narrows the ultrasonic wave beam to the transducer assembly. The transverse cross-sectional area of the ultrasonic wave beam may be changed depending on the size of the body part to be measured.

Abstract: A method for measuring the speed of sound in a tissue such as bone. First, the transducer covers of a pair of transducer units are pressed together under a predetermined pressure, ultrasound is transmitted and received, and the time taken by the ultrasound to travel from one to the other of the transducers is measured. Next, the tissue is held between the pair of transducer units under the same predetermined pressure, ultrasound is transmitted and received, the time taken for the ultrasound to travel from one to the other of the transducers is measured, and the distance between the two transducers is measured. The speed of sound in the tissue is then computed based on the propagation time of ultrasound when the transducer units are directly pressed together, the propagation time of ultrasound and the distance between the transducers when the tissue is held between the pair of transducer units.

Abstract: A bone assessment apparatus for assessing bone by ultrasonic waves. A slider mechanism for supporting a platform is provided such that it is free to be given a parallel displacement. When a foot is placed on the platform and a pair of measuring units are brought close together, the platform starts to slide from when one of the units comes in contact with the foot. When the contact pressures of the two units are identical, the sliding motion stops. The center line of the foot is thereby made to coincide with the center line between transducers, and in this situation, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received.

Abstract: A bone assessment apparatus for obtaining an assessment value E for a bone 12 with good repeatability by simple calculation using the waveform of a signal derived from received ultrasound which has passed through the bone. A transmitting transducer (20) transmits an ultrasound pulse. A receiving transducer (22) receives the ultrasound pulse which has passed through a test sample (10), and then converts the received ultrasound pulse to a signal. An A/D converter (30) digitizes the signal amplified in a receiving amplifier (28). The digitized signal is inputted to a calculator (32) via a transducer controller (26). The calculator (32) calculates the assessment value E for the bone (12) from characteristic values of the waveform of the signal, such as the half-value width of the first positive portion, which are derived from ultrasonic transmission characteristics of the bone (12).

Abstract: A bone assessment apparatus includes a pair of ultrasonic transducers (14). A plurality of adapters (26, 126) are available so as to easily adjust the position of the calcaneus in accordance with the size of the foot to be examined. A selected adapter (26, 126) is set on a measuring unit (10). The foot is placed on the selected adapter, and the calcaneus is positioned so as to receive ultrasonic sound beams at its center. The measuring unit (10) includes an adapter identifying section (32), and a control operation unit (30) includes a section (44) for checking whether or not a selected adapter is suitable for the member to be examined.

Abstract: A method for measuring the speed of sound in a tissue such as bone. First, the transducer covers of a pair of transducer units are pressed together under a predetermined pressure, ultrasound is transmitted and received, and the time taken by the ultrasound to travel from one to the other of the transducers is measured. Next, the tissue is held between the pair of transducer units under the same predetermined pressure, ultrasound is transmitted and received, the time taken for the ultrasound to travel from one to the other of the transducers is measured, and the distance between the two transducers is measured. The speed of sound in the tissue is then computed based on the propagation time of ultrasound when the transducer units are directly pressed together, the propagation time of ultrasound and the distance between the transducers when the tissue is held between the pair of transducer units.

Abstract: A bone assessment apparatus for transmitting and receiving measuring waves through a test part of a patient to diagnose the condition of the test part, includes a measuring bath containing a coupling liquid required for precise measurement and an immersion pouch for keeping the test part out of contact with the coupling liquid. The test part is inserted into the immersion pouch in the measuring bath without touching the coupling liquid. Even during the screening of a number of patients the coupling liquid is prevented, from being contaminated by the test parts of the patients and therefore it is not necessary to change the coupling liquid often. The use of the immersion pouch is detected by a detector to correct a deviation in diagnosis data obtained from the received measuring wave on the basis of a specific correction value assigned to each immersion pouch, thereby providing more precise diagnosis data.

Abstract: A bone assessment apparatus provides a precise bone assessment based on the attenuation factor of an ultrasonic wave which has passed through a bone of a patient. A transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer are positioned at either side of the bone respectively, and an ultrasonic wave is irradiated to the bone, and passes therethrough. A transmitter/receiver provides an attenuation spectrum of the ultrasonic wave and determines a reference frequency f.sub.p peculiar to the patient at which the attenuation factor is minimum. A gradient .DELTA. of the attenuation spectrum is calculated based on the difference between the attenuation factor .alpha..sub.p at the reference frequency f.sub.p and the attenuation factor .alpha..sub.q at a frequency f.sub.q which is spaced apart by a predetermined value from the reference frequency f.sub.p. A density index .rho..sub.I is also calculated which is a gradient of the attenuation spectrum per unit thickness of the bone.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing assessment indices related to bone strength which are useful in predicting the risk of bone fracture. The apparatus measures the mineral density of bone (BMD) by means of X-rays, while the propagation speed of sound V in the bone and bone thickness d are measured by means of ultrasonic waves. The bone mineral content per unit volume, i.e. the bone volume density .rho., is computed from the bone mineral density (BMD) and the thickness of the bone. An assessment value E is then computed based on V and .rho..

Abstract: An electrosurgical unit for being capable of selection of desirable electrosurgical operation mode in cutting mode and coagulation mode. A handpiece for the operation is connected to a control means through an isolation means, and an operator performs the operations of cutting mode or coagulation mode by use of the handpiece. The handpiece is provided with a cutting mode switch and a coagulation mode switch. The operator can perform the mode change only in the sterile field by depression of these switches simultaneously.

Abstract: A blood coagulating apparatus for stopping bleeding by heating the bleeding portion of the living body while producing an electric discharge on the bleeding portion. A patient plate which is capable of maintaining the state of being electrically connected to the living body is placed on the living body. An active electrode including an electrolyte ejector is brought to the vicinity of the bleeding portion. The electrolyte ejector includes an ejector for supplying an electrolyte to an air passage for passing air therethrough at a high speed so as to mix the electrolyte with air and ejecting the atomized electrolyte to the bleeding portion. The electric discharge produced in the vicinity of the bleeding portion by applying a high-frequency voltage between the active electrode and the patient plate is made stable and effective by ejecting the atomized electrolyte toward the bleeding portion. Thus, a uniform coagulation spot is formed and stable hemostatis is enabled.